February is one of our favourite months of the year thanks to a very special day. No, we aren’t talking about Valentine’s Day, we are of course talking about Galentine’s Day!
Although Galentine’s Day has only been observed for the past decade, it is a a key date for the calendar so make sure you have 13th February marked out ready to celebrate.
Want to know more about the day itself, or looking for inspiration on how to celebrate with your friends this year? Don’t worry, we have got you covered with the ultimate Galentine’s Day guide.
What Is Galentine’s Day?
HBO
Each year Galentine’s Day is celebrated on 13th February, so the day just before Valentine’s Day as it really is the season of love.
Whilst it isn’t an official holiday it is one recognised across the world as women come together to celebrate something rather beautiful – friendship.
That’s right, the day is dedicated to celebrating the love you have for your female friends, gal pals, your huns, or whatever cute nickname you have for them!
Who Invented Galentine’s Day?
NBC
Female friendship is a very special thing, hence Galentine’s Day has gone from fiction to reality as its origins actually lies in a popular television show.
The idea was introduced in episode 16 of the second season of Parks And Recreation titled Galentine’s Day, which saw the show’s lead character Leslie Knope gather together her female friends for a special brunch.
In the episode Leslie describes the day saying: “Every February 13, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies.”
Not only did this help us to fall in love with the fantastic Leslie even more, but people saw the episode and thought actually, Galentine’s Day isn’t a bad idea at all.
Over time the day has only become more popular, and it is something the cast celebrate too, with stars Amy Poehler (Leslie Knope), Aubrey Plaza (April Ludgate-Dwyer), Rashida Jones (Ann Perkins), and Kathryn Hahn (political mastermind Jen Barkley) getting together last year for a fun Galentine’s night.
Sharing a cute image to Instagram, Plaza wished everyone a ‘Happy Galentine’s Day’.
Is Galentine’s Day Only For Women?
Paramount Pictures
Whilst Galentine’s Day is mostly aimed at women, there’s absolutely no reason why you can’t get your guy mates involved too or men could even celebrate with their friends.
At the end of the day, Galentine’s Day is all about celebrating friendship, and those people in your life that stick by your side throughout the good and the bad.
Yes, we know it’s cheesy but that’s why we love it.
Celebration Ideas
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So now we have had the lowdown on all things Galentine’s Day, if you are choosing to celebrate it then it’s time to start planning some fun activities to do with your friends.
Of course this year will be a little different as due to lockdown many of us are apart from our pals, but that shouldn’t stop you from celebrating, all you have to do is get together virtually on Zoom instead, with these ideas working over a video call too.
Cocktail Making
iStock
Cocktails are both yummy and really fun to make, also working as a great group activity you can either do in person or virtually depending upon your situation.
All you need to do is ensure everyone has a shaker and some ingredients, and then you can get to work making wonderful cocktail creations, chatting to your mates about what you are concocting and just how damn good it tastes.
And if you don’t drink alcohol, swap cocktails out for mocktails. Shake, shake baby!
